When it comes to true worship, there will always be a level of brokenness in the mix. In the songbook of the Old Testament the psalmist sung:
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
[Psalm 51:7]
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Thought: It's a raw song of surrender - no pose and not pretence - just the real, uncomplicated offering of a worshipper who knows what it is to experience weakness, and what it is to encounter grace. I find myself joining the psalmist in that song - for the more I journey through this life, the more I realise God's utter perfection and strength - and in the light of that, my own fragility and shortcomings. The beauty of it all is that our brokenness is never met by harshness, but instead by the gracious heart of God.
For sure, sometimes the way God deals with us is intense - but even the most full-on moments of being shaped by Him are soaked in goodness. He may let our foundations be shaken, or find other ways to alert us to our dependence on Him - but at all times there is a constant thread of kindness running through it all. As we surrender in worship, and give Jesus permission to form and fashion our hearts there is never any heartlessness or helplessness in the equation. Instead, there is purpose, warmth and love.
We may be broken, yes. But we are gracefully broken.
Invitation: Don’t try and hide your brokenness from God. Not only does He see it, but there’s a good chance that He’s got a plan to use it for His purpose and His glory. So, today, choose to be real with Him,
Prayer: Father God, this heart - as broken and raw as sometimes it feels – is yours. Shape me. I trust my life to Your greatness and Your goodness. And in everything, may I be led to a closer walk with you. Amen.
CLICK HERE to download the chord chart to GRACEFULLY BROKEN by Matt Redman for free.